Situation

It is apparent that children and youth are getting bored very fast when they do not have interesting activities to participate in. A realistic demonstration of this concept took place at the airfield “Friesener Warte“ in the north of Bavaria, Germany in July 2003. The editor is responsible for the school service of the German Aeroclub. The program of activities and learning experiences about many phases of aviation were planned and conducted with good teaching and learning practices in mind.

Homepage of the gliding club for which this program was planned: http://www.segelflug.de/vereine/friesener-warte/

Strategy

The program is a step by step (1-9) approach to learning different aspects of flying. The first exercises explain the phenomena of air characteristics. Further activities explain the technical characteristics of an airplane. Next we introduce aviation communications (aviation terms).For good educational reasons the activities are arranged in logical sequence. Each participant is given a paper with each numbered activity. The ideal plan is for each participant to visit the activities in the order shown on the paper. However circumstances of a larger group or availability of mentors may require going to activities out of sequence. At the end of the learning stations participants get the “junior pilot license certificate“.

The program was planned and organized in such a manner that the management was carried out by highschool students (Gymnasium Hoechstadt/Germany) and youngsters of the local aeroclub.

Below are the details:

Registration, description of the activities sequence, photostation for photograph for the “junior pilot license“

Aerodynamics demonstration using hairdryer and pingpong-ball

Hairdryer and flat plate – aerodynamic paradox

Windtunnel

Demonstration of lift moving a model wing rapidly through the air in a circle

Constructing a small model plane

Flightsimulator model –radio controlled – moving through three axes

Control line modelplane flight demonstration

Air traffic control communication using ICAO alphabet and wireless walkie-talkie

1. Registration, description of the activities sequence, photostation for photograph for the “junior pilot license“

Description

The participants get their sequence papers here to take part in the program to receive the junior pilot certificate. A photo will be taken which will be part of the license.

For hairdryer switch on cold rather than hot air; hold hairdryer away from the clothing which can be taken into the intake of the dryer!

1 student needed.

4. Windtunnel

Description

A potentiometer manipulates the fan and airflow. In front of the tube an airfoil is suspended by tethers.

Materials needed

Table, extension cord, fan, tube, wing, tethers.

Safety requirements and cautions, number of students needed

Keep away from the intake of the fan.

1 student needed.

5. Demonstration of lift moving a model wing rapidly through the air in a circle

Description

Because of the speed the air produces lift which can be felt by hand. Changing the turn-around speed and the angle of attack,the lift can be manipulated.

A very motivatingexercise.

Materials needed

Solid model plane wing.

Safety requirements and cautions, number of students needed

Safe demonstration flight platform.

In the beginning the participants will not detect which part of the wing will be up or in the front.

Help: big photo, structure plan of a bird’s wing which demonstrates the curve and flight direction.

6. Constructing a small model plane

Description

Supervised participants are construc ting a small modelplane out of balsawood or foam.

Materials needed

Several tables and many seats, material on which to work to protect the table, hot-glue-pistol, 2 markers to identify each model, enough material , sharp knives, first-aid material, balance weights (not lead = poison!), construction frames to use in building the plane.

Safety requirements and cautions, number of students needed

Provide construction planes for the students and parents to take home, plan an area for students to bring models that need repaired, construction frames and jigs should be big enough, otherwise children will have disappointing problems, Explain the function of grain in the wood in model construction, mark the grain with an arrow! Have a completed model with descriptions of the airplane parts, the center of gravity and the grain in the middle of the work area.

Students: only well experienced students should be used to supervise and assist the construction and first flight, children should not play with tools and knives.

8. Control line model plane flight demonstration.

Description

An electropowered model flies around a pole with 2 bearings which allow the pole to turn with the plane (adopted from the Deutsches Museum), pilot tries to land the model in a specified space using a speed control (builders: Erwin Weschta and Alfred Dutz (model flying group Hoechstadt).

9. Air traffic control communication using ICAO alphabet and wireless walkietalkie

Description

Participant is sitting in the cockpit of a glider or airplane or realistic simulator and transmits his name using the ICAO-alphabet to the “tower“.

Materials needed

Cockpit, walkie-talkies, ICAO-alphabet sheet, table for the tower to write down the received message.

Safety requirements and cautions, number of students needed

Protect instruments and controls in the real cockpit, check walkietalkies in advance and have replacement batteries.

Needed: 2 students.

Any visit to an aviation activity like these demonstrates the high interest of children and youth who are participating.Use this material at your own risk. Observe cautions and safety rules. This collection will be continued.Version1.0